Chairperson, I want to respond to the issue of the salary increase of the CEO of Eskom. For those of us who were in the committee today, I think the explanation was given there that the Cape Times headlines was a misleading one in so far as the increase for Mr Maroga was 9% for this year.
When Mr Maroga was appointed late in 2007, he had a salary below that of a CEO. It was agreed then that his salary would not be immediately put on the scale of a CEO, but that it would be phased in over a two-year period.
That period is now. The second phase of the increase in the salary is now. Those people who are concerned about the salary increase should bear in mind that for the last two years he was not being paid at the salary level that the CEO is paid at. [Interjections.]
Secondly, let me say that his salary was ... [Interjections.] Could I have some protection, Chair?
Order, hon members!
Let me say that this salary is being paid at the medium level of a person at his level of a CEO. His salary for this year is simply a 9% increase, which is less than what the public servants are getting at the moment. I thank you. [Applause.]